Browns' Benjamin is AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Colt McCoy is playing the role of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III in practice this week, Coach Pat Shurmur said during his press conference Wednesday morning.

The Browns are preparing for Griffin and Kirk Cousins because they do not know whether Griffin will play Sunday after suffering a mild knee sprain last week in Washington's game with Baltimore. Griffin was on the field Wednesday at the facility in Auburn, Va., for the portion of Redskins practice open to the media, but reporters had to leave the sideline before team drills began.

"I'm not sure we have that kind of speed on our team to simulate a player as talented as RG3 in terms of his just flat speed," Shurmur said. "As we prepare to play the Redskins, who plays quarterback will not affect our preparation. We have to prepare for their offense.

"It's extremely important we not look at what's being said. They have two really fine quarterbacks. They have elements of the drop-back passing game. They have elements of option football."

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Shurmur's warning it is important his team not pay attention to what is being said is a reference to comments made by Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon on Tuesday. Garcon told ESPN that Cousins will start against the Browns.

Griffin has the highest passer rating in the NFL - not just among rookies. He has a 104.2 rating followed by Alex Smith of the 49ers at 104.1 and Peyton Manning of the Broncos at 104.0.

Griffin has completed 233 of 351 passes for 2,906 yards with 18 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. He is second among Redskins rushers with 748 yards and six touchdowns.

Benjamin honored

Browns rookie Travis Benjamin was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday for his 93-yard punt return for a touchdown Sunday in the 30-7 victory over the Chiefs.

Benjamin is the first Browns rookie to win the honor since Andre Davis was recognized in 2002.

"It's a tremendous honor," Shurmur said.

At the beginning of the punt return, Benjamin lined up on the left wing to block the Chiefs' gunner, but then he ran back and Josh Cribbs ran forward. The plan was for Cribbs to be part of the group of players rushing to block the punt, which forced the gunner Benjamin would have blocked to become part of the punt protection,

The Chiefs were more concerned about protecting punter Dustin Colquitt than Benjamin. Benjamin fielded the punt at the Browns 7 and followed his blockers to the end zone for the longest punt return in Browns history.

Captain Cribbs

Cribbs was named fourth captain for the game Sunday by permanent captains Joe Thomas, Phil Dawson and D'Qwell Jackson.

Shurmur dismissed a reporter's suggestion it is ironic Cribbs would be named captain the same week Benjamin is Special Teams player of the Week.

"I really appreciate Josh for his toughness," Shurmur said. "In a sport like football, a guy that's tough is the highest honor."

Cribbs had a 38-yard punt return last week and threw a key block on Benjamin's touchdown,